Meet The Team

Kevin Peterson has built, bought, and sold multiple IT companies and is a business operator at heart. His background in scaling businesses, leadership, coaching, navigating difficult conversations, and operational improvements helps UMCG increase efficiency and get things done. He is married to the love of his life, Barb, and they have four children and five grandchildren. Kevin is passionate about sharing Jesus’ love and saving power and helping others. He also enjoys stand-up and corporate comedy, playing pickleball, and spending time with family and friends.

Diane Hanson has worked in business development, marketing and training for over 25 years and is the owner of Thinking In Sync and Founder of United Madison before joining forces with Madison Christian Giving Fund. She is a Certified Chaplain and is a Christian author and speaker. Diane has been on our Leadership Team since 2019 and is now our CEO. She is the wife of Tim since 1991 and they have four grown daughters. In her spare time, Diane enjoys spending time with family & friends, playing Pickleball, biking or being outdoors.​

Tom Johnson recently retired from Fearing’s Audio, Video & Security in Business Development. He has served and worked with numerous non-profit organizations and various business sectors for 20 years in the greater Madison area. He lives in Cross Plains with his wife, Gail Johnson, and they have five grown children living in four different states. He has been a believer of Jesus since age 18.

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Edi Sheard is a retired School and Church Administrative Assistant. She is a current volunteer Administrative Assistant for an international mission organization, Bible Student, Member of Madison Christian Giving Fund before joining forces with United Madison since 2019 and serves as the Treasure and provides administrative support. She is a Christ follower since 1964. Edi has been married to her husband Dave since 1981 and they have two sons and four grandchildren.

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Tom Hoffner is an Attorney in private practice and is the Co-founder of the Madison Christian Giving Fund before joining forces with United Madison, and he serves as a member of the Grant Committee.  He is a facilitator for Journey of Generosity (“JOG”).  Tom is a lifelong church attender, but adult follower of Christ. He has been married to Barb since 1969 and they have three adult children and eight grandchildren.

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Barb Hoffner serves with Stonecroft Ministries, an outreach ministry for Christ, as a speaker and Bible-study coordinator. She is the Co-founder of the Madison Christian Giving Fund before they joined forces with United Madison and serves as a member of the Grant Committee. Barb is also a facilitator of Journey of Generosity (“JOG”). She is a lifelong follower of Christ. Barb has been married to Tom since 1969 and they have three adult children and eight grandchildren.

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Dave Sheard is a retired Civil Engineer & Economic Consultant, Past Elder Board and Church Chairman, Bible Student, Charter member and recording secretary for Madison Christian Giving Fund (MCGF). He is also a Member of MCGF Grants Committee. Christ follower for 46 years. Dave and his wife Edi have been married since 1981 and they have two sons and four grandchildren.

Pastoring since 2008, Jim's journey began by leading Bible studies that sparked life-changing conversations and spiritual growth. Seeing a void, he stepped into ministry work to help bring souls to Christ. Now, he’s doing the same with UMCG—helping us share Christ’s love and guide others toward healing and hope in our community.  Jim leads our church communication efforts—inviting local congregations to join us in this mission.

Welcome Birgitta Meylor to our Board of Directors! A lifelong Madison-area resident, Birgitta recently retired after a career focused on strategic partnerships, leadership, marketing, and communications. She and her husband, Jeff, live in Waunakee and have five adult children and soon-to-be five grandchildren. She is passionate about living out her faith and using her experience to support UMCG and our ministry partners.

Karen Johnson works in the financial industry as a team member for Arrow Advisors.  She lives in Blue Mounds with her husband Carl and her 2 teenage daughters.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.  Karen is a lifelong believer and recently has started volunteering for UMCG in an administrative capacity.

Josh Kaurich is a small business owner involved in two local companies, Blue Edge Energy and Verita Energy. He has been married since 2008 to his wife Jennifer and they have three children. They live in Brooklyn, Wisconsin on a farmette and enjoy evenings around a campfire and taking care of their assortment of animals. The Kaurich family is involved in various non-profits with a special interest in men’s ministry and gospel-based mission work to the poor and vulnerable. He has been involved with the Madison Christian Giving Fund since 2022. Josh has been a believer and known Jesus all his life but began to take the relationship with Christ more seriously starting in 2016.

Betsy and her husband, Chris, are members of Saint Ann Parish in Stoughton and proud parents of three grown children. Drawing on her experience as Executive Director of the Wahlin Family Foundation, Betsy brings a wealth of knowledge that will be a tremendous asset to our work. She values being part of a team committed to serving those in need while reflecting Christ’s love by living out biblical principles.

Herb Kolbe retired in 2021 after 47 years of service in Christian student ministry and leadership development organizations.  Herb and his wife, Jean, moved from Pittsburgh to Madison in 2024 to be closer to their two adult daughters, one in Iowa City and one here in Madison with her husband and 5-year-old son.  They are active in Christ Church Madison and in their condominium community.  Herb is facilitating a cohort-based leadership training program for UMCG similar to one he initiated and led for several years at the Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation.

Welcome Kimmy Brown as our new Social Media Coordinator! Kimmy recently stepped into the role following a great transition with our previous Social Media Coordinator, Bre (who is off living her dream in Puerto Rico!). A newly married Mount Horeb native, Kimmy has a passion sharing the love of Jesus with everyone she meets. She also coaches JV2 volleyball, is part of The Reconcile Room podcast, and owns Light of Life Media.

Capriana Hadel has been a big part of United Madison before we joined forces with MCGF.  She is also co-host with Diane Hanson on the podcast, "Dose of Unity".  Capriana has a Masters in Business Administration, and her background is in the creative arts, business, non-profit, and medical industries. She grew up knowing Jesus and in the last few years has made a fresh commitment to living in relationship with Him.  She is married to Josh and they have 3 young children.